Palladium-catalyzed selective N-(hetero)arylation or N,N′-di(hetero)arylation of 1-aminoindoles

The selective synthesis of N-(hetero)aryl-1-aminoindoles 3 from the corresponding N-aminoindoles and (hetero)aryl halides using a catalyst combination of Pd-2(dba)(3) associated to Josiphos is described. By switching to Xantphos as the ligand, the alternate catalytic system allows the coupling to proceed efficiently for the preparation of symmetrical and unsymmetrical N,N'-diaryl-1-aminoindole derivatives in good yields. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.